Iowa law enforcement warning public of telephone scam

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa state law enforcement officials are warning the public to be on guard for a telephone scam in which the callers pretend to state police and demand payment.

The Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Division of Criminal Investigation says it continues to get reports of the scam. Officials say the scammers pose as employees of the “Iowa State Police” and claim to have seized a vehicle registered to the call recipient in which drugs were found. The scammers then demand immediate payment via prepaid debit cards.

Officials say if the victim hangs up, a second call is made appearing to come from “911” in which the caller claims to have a warrant for the victim’s arrest.